Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 03041398 2019-04-23
HEAT ACCUMULATOR SYSTEM
Technical field
The invention relates to a thermal storage system for storing thermal energy,
the use
of a thermal storage system for storing thermal energy and a method for
storing ther-
mal energy.
Background of the invention
In the course of the world's dwindling raw materials for energy production,
the gene-
ration of renewable energy becomes increasingly important. For example, solar
power
plants can generate heat from solar power and feed it to a power plant for
generating
electricity. The energy production from solar power is coupled with the solar
radiation
and is therefore subject to strong fluctuations. At particularly sunny times,
energy pro-
duction from solar power can exceed the energy demand, while during cloudy
times or
during the night, only little or no energy can be produced by the solar power
plant.
Thus, there is a need to store excess energy from solar power plants, so that
this
energy can be used at a later time.
A device and system for temporarily storing thermal energy is known, for
example,
from DE 10 2009 060911 Al. The device comprises a solid storage and a piping
sys-
tem which is formed by individual pipes and extends through the solid storage,
wherein
an energy carrier medium flows through the piping system. In order to be able
to charge
and discharge the solid storage quickly and evenly with thermal energy, heat-
conduct-
ing elements are provided which each form heat transfer areas with the
individual pipes
and which extend into the regions of the solid storage which are free of the
individual
pipes. In this case, the heat-conducting elements have a higher thermal
conductivity
than the solid storage.
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There is a steady need to optimize thermal storage systems in order to reduce
manu-
facturing costs and increase the thermal storage efficiency.
Description of the invention
It is the object of the invention to provide a thermal storage system for
storing thermal
energy, which can be produced economically and by means of which thermal
energy
can be stored in a simple manner.
The object is achieved by a thermal storage system, by use of a thermal
storage sys-
tem and by a method of storing thermal energy according to the features of the
inde-
pendent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the
dependent
claims and in the following description which individually or in any
combination may
represent an aspect of the invention.
According to the invention, a thermal storage system for storing thermal
energy is pro-
vided, comprising a solid storage including a plurality of storage blocks with
their outer
sides disposed relative to each other, wherein the storage blocks comprise at
least one
continuous opening arranged in the longitudinal direction and/or at least one
recess
formed in the longitudinal direction on its outer side and are arranged
relative to each
other so that the recess and/or the continuous opening form at least one
channel with
an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed spaced apart from the inlet
opening, a
heat-carrying medium which is at least in portions in direct contact with the
channel, a
charging circuit comprising a first supply means connected to the inlet
opening of the
channel for supplying thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a first
draining
means connected to the outlet opening for compensating the supplied heat-
carrying
medium, and/or a discharge circuit comprising a first draining means connected
to the
inlet opening of the channel for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying
medium,
and a second supply means connected to the outlet opening for compensating the
drained heat-carrying medium.
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Thermal energy preferably means solar thermic heat energy produced from a
solar
power plant and/or a solar power station and/or thermal waste heat from the
industry
and/or other available waste heat or thermal energy.
A recess is a channeling, groove, gutter and/or notch formed in the outer
surface of a
storage block in a longitudinal direction.
The continuous opening is preferably a continuous recess. Particularly
preferably, the
continuous opening of a storage block forms a channel section, so that the
channel is
.. formed by arranging a plurality of storage blocks relative to one another.
Particularly
preferably, the continuous opening is formed circular in a plane perpendicular
to the
longitudinal direction of the channel and/or the channel section.
The longitudinal direction of the recess and/or the continuous opening is
preferably
.. configured rectilinear. In this way, preferably center stones and/or end
stones forming
the inlet opening and/or the outlet opening of the solid storage are provided.
Particu-
larly preferably, the longitudinal direction has a curvature, wherein the
curvature may
be particularly preferably formed arcuate, quarter-circular and/or
semicircular. In this
way, end stones of the solid storage can be provided.
As heat-carrying medium basically any heat-carrying medium suitable for
transferring
heat is suitable. Preferably, the heat-carrying medium is water and/or water
vapor that
is preferably supplied under high pressure to the channel of the solid
storage. The
heat-carrying medium is particularly preferably air and/or tin, wherein tin
has particu-
larly advantageous thermal properties for transferring thermal energy.
The term "connected" in connection with the supply means and/or the draining
means
of the charging circuit and/or the discharge circuit is to be understood as a
connection
that allows transfer of the heat-carrying medium.
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The thermal storage system thus comprises a solid storage which is formed by a
plu-
rality of storage blocks arranged relative to each other. The storage blocks
have a
recess formed in the longitudinal direction and/or a continuous opening,
wherein the
storage blocks are arranged relative to one another such that a channel with
an inlet
opening and an outlet opening is formed by the recess formed in the storage
blocks
and/or the continuous opening. The thermal storage system also comprises a
charging
circuit for thermally charging the solid storage and a discharge circuit for
thermally
discharging the solid storage. The charging circuit comprises a first supply
means con-
nected to the first inlet opening of the channel for supplying a thermally
charged heat-
carrying medium, preferably from a solar power plant, and a first draining
means con-
nected to the outlet opening for compensating the supplied heat-carrying
medium.
Thus, a thermally charged, i.e. heated and/or warmed up heat-carrying medium,
is
supplied to the solid storage via the inlet opening. In order to compensate
for the sup-
plied thermally charged heat-carrying medium, thermally discharged heat-
carrying me-
dium, i.e. heat-carrying medium that has transferred heat to the storage
blocks, is
drained through the outlet opening from the solid storage and preferably
supplied to
the solar power plant for renewed thermal charging. The discharge circuit
comprises a
second draining means connected to the inlet opening of the channel for
draining the
thermally charged heat-carrying medium, i.e. heat-carrying medium, which was
pref-
erably warmed up and/or heated by the previously thermally charged storage
blocks,
from the solid storage, so that the drained thermally charged heat-carrying
medium
can be supplied to a power plant or a power plant device for generating
electricity. In
order to compensate for the thermally charged heat-carrying medium drained
from the
solid storage, thermally discharged heat-carrying medium, i.e. heat-carrying
medium,
which has transferred heat for energy production in the power plant, is
supplied to the
channel via the outlet opening. In this way, a piping-free solid storage is
provided,
which can be thermally charged and thermally discharged in a simple manner.
Due to
the fact that the solid storage is formed piping-free, the manufacturing costs
of the
storage can be reduced. Due to the piping-free design of the solid storage,
the heat-
carrying medium is in direct contact with the storage block, so that heat
transfer losses
can be reduced and thus the efficiency of the thermal storage system can be
increased.
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Basically, the storage blocks may be formed differently from each other. In a
preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the storage blocks have a
first end face
and a second end face arranged spaced apart from the first end face in the
longitudinal
direction of a storage block, and the outer sides between the first end face
and the
second end face are formed parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
storage block,
wherein the first outer side is parallel and spaced apart from the second
outer side and
the third outer side is parallel and spaced apart from the fourth outer side.
In this way,
the storage blocks are formed cuboid so that the storage blocks can be
arranged in a
simple manner relative to each other.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that a recess is
formed in a
corner region between the first outer side and the third outer side and/or in
a corner
region between the first outer side and the fourth outer side and/or in the
second outer
side. If the recess is formed in the corner region between the first outer
side and the
third outer side and/or between the first outer side and the fourth outer
side, the recess
is preferably formed as a rectilinear groove which preferably has a quarter-
circular pro-
file in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the storage
block. The re-
cess at the fourth side is preferably designed as a rectilinear groove which
preferably
has a semicircular profile in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the
storage block. In this way, a channel can be formed in a simple manner by
arranging
a plurality of storage blocks.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the continuous opening
extends
from the first end face through the storage block up to the second end face.
In this way,
a storage block is provided which preferably has a rectilinear continuous
opening.
Thus, preferably center stones or storage blocks are provided which are
arranged in
the center of the solid storage. Particularly preferably, it is provided that
the continuous
opening which extends from the first end face or the second end face through
the
storage block opens into one of the outer sides of the storage block. In this
way, the
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continuous opening preferably has a curvature. This is particularly suitable
for end-
stones or storage blocks which are arranged at the end of the solid storage.
The re-
spective continuous opening of a storage block forms a channel portion of the
channel.
.. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that
the storage
blocks comprise first connection elements on the first end face and/or first
connection
receptacles corresponding to the first connection elements on the second end
face. In
this way, the storage blocks can preferably be form-fittingly connected to
each other in
the longitudinal direction.
In this context, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
first connec-
tion elements are a dovetail connection and the first connection receptacles
have cor-
responding tines. In this way, a first storage block comprising the first end
face having
the dovetail connection can be arranged in a form-fitting manner at the second
end
face of a second storage block comprising the tines. Thus, preferably a
tensile strength
connection between the storage blocks directed in the longitudinal direction
of the
channel can be provided.
In this context, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
dovetail con-
nection and/or the tines are formed tapered starting from the second outer
side in the
direction of the first outer side. In this way, the insertion of the dovetail
connection into
the corresponding tines for connecting the storage blocks can be simplified
whereby
time and costs in the production of the solid storage can be reduced.
In principle, the outer sides of the storage blocks can be configured flat, so
that in a
plurality of storage blocks arranged relative to each other the outer sides
can be butt
joined. A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the storage blocks
have second
connection elements on the second outer side and/or second connection
receptacles
corresponding to the second connection elements on the first outer side. It is
preferably
provided that the second connection elements are one or more projections which
are
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particularly preferably cylindrical and/or cuboid and are aligned in a
direction perpen-
dicular to the plane of the second outer side. The second connection
receptacles are
recesses which correspond to the projections of the second outer side and are
partic-
ularly preferably aligned in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the
first outer side.
In this way, the first outer side of a first storage block can be connected in
a simple
manner to the second outer side of a second storage block in a form-fitting
manner.
An advantageous embodiment is that the butt joints of the storage blocks are
bonded.
In this way, the storage blocks can be materially connected to one another. In
addition,
the butt joints can be sealed so that no heat-carrying medium can escape via
the butt
joints. Particularly preferably, the bonding of the butt joints of the
respective storage
blocks is done via a high temperature adhesive which has a temperature
resistance of
greater than 400 C, preferably greater than 700 C and most preferably greater
than
1000 C.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the
storage
blocks are arranged offset from each other. In this way, the structural
integrity of the
solid storage can be increased.
An advantageous embodiment of the invention is that the storage blocks are
arranged
relative to each other so that the first channel is formed meandering. In this
way, the
channel length within the solid storage for the thermal charging of the solid
storage can
be increased. In addition, the inlet opening and the outlet opening can thus
be formed
on one side of the solid storage. If the inlet opening and the outlet opening
are formed
on one side of the solid storage, the side of the solid storage which
comprises the inlet
opening and the outlet opening can preferably have a fixed bearing, wherein
the part
of the solid storage which comprises the channel has a sliding bearing.
Thermal
changes in length of the solid storage are not hindered by the sliding
bearing. Thus,
the charging circuit and/or discharge circuit connected to the inlet opening
and/or the
outlet opening can be decoupled from the thermally induced changes in length
of the
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solid storage in the course of the thermal charging and/or discharge. In this
way, the
manufacturing costs of the thermal storage system can be reduced.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention it is provided that a valve
device is
provided upstream of the inlet opening and/or the outlet opening. Preferably,
the valve
device is periodically controllable. In this way, it can be controlled that in
a first period
thermally charged heat-carrying medium is supplied via the first supply means
and via
the inlet opening from a solar power plant to the channel for thermal charging
the stor-
age blocks and in a second period thermally charged heat-carrying medium is
drained
from the thermal storage via the inlet opening and via the second draining
means and
supplied to a power plant for generating electricity. Thus, charging and
discharging of
the solid storage can take place with only one channel. A reduced number of
channels
or only one channel can increase the structural integrity of the solid
storage.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the charging circuit
and/or the
discharge circuit comprises a heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger is
arranged in the
charging circuit, thermal heat generated in the solar power plant is
preferably trans-
ferred in the heat exchanger to the heat-carrying medium and then supplied to
the solid
storage for storage. Heat-carrying medium supplied from the solid storage via
the out-
let opening in the direction of the solar power plant is likewise supplied to
the heat
exchanger. In this way, in the solar power plant a heat-carrying medium
different from
that of the thermal storage system can be used. The same applies to the
discharge
circuit.
Basically, only one channel is sufficient for the thermal charging and
discharging of the
solid storage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that
the solid
storage has a plurality of channels.
In this context, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that in the
case of the
plurality of channels a first channel is the charging circuit and a second
channel is the
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discharging circuit. In this way, the charging circuit and the discharging
circuit are chan-
nel-technically separated, so that parallel or simultaneously with the thermal
charging,
a thermal discharge can take place.
The storage blocks can in principle be made of any material for storing
thermal energy.
Preferably, the storage blocks are made of a concrete. In a preferred
embodiment of
the invention it is provided that the storage blocks are made of fly ash,
preferably made
of ceramically fired fly ash. For this purpose, preferably fly ash, water and
organic ad-
ditives are mixed, so that the resulting matrix has a plastic property. The
plastic matrix
is filled under pressure into molds, removed from the mold and fed to an oven.
At a
temperature between 1,000 C and 1,200 C the fly ash sinters and individual
globules
of the fly ash melt with their surroundings and form a firm bonding.
Alternatively or in
addition, it is provided that the storage blocks are made of blast-furnace
slag, prefera-
bly of ceramically fired blast-furnace slag. Blast furnace slag is formed
during iron
smelting and is tapped from the blast furnace as waste product at a
temperature of
more than 1,600 C. The slag is poured into molds to form the storage blocks
and so-
lidified. Furthermore, already tapped and solidified blast furnace slag can be
granu-
lated and fed to a ceramic processing for forming the storage blocks. Fly ash
and/or
blast furnace slag are understood within the scope of the invention to be any
mineral
residues from combustion processes and metal production processes, for
example,
boiler sand, coarse ash, clinker or electric furnace slag.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the solid storage is
arranged in
a housing, wherein the housing preferably has a thermal insulation. In this
way, heat
losses of the solid storage can be reduced.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage blocks' comprise
first
and/or second connection elements embedded in the storage blocks at the inlet
open-
ing and at the outlet opening which are configured form-fittingly with the
channel and
extend the channel outside of the storage blocks to connect the form-fitting
contact
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with the heat-carrying medium and the first and/or second connection element
of the
next storage block.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the first and/or second
connec-
tion elements are made of a temperature resistant steel, which has been
previously
processed by form-giving processes, and/or wherein a connection between first
and/or
second connection elements of two storage blocks which are in contact with
each other
are configured as welded and/or screwed connection. Preferably protruding
first and/or
second connection elements are sheathed with sleeves, which fit form-fittingly
between
adjacent storage blocks around the first and/or second connection elements in
order
to store more energy and to insulate the first and/or second connection
elements. In
this context, it is further preferred that the sleeves are designed to
supplement an outer
shape of the storage blocks, in particular a geometry, such that a continuous
shaping
over a plurality of storage blocks and first and/or second connection elements
is ob-
tamed.
The invention further relates to the use of a thermal storage system
comprising a solid
storage including a plurality of storage blocks which are disposed with their
outer sides
relative to each other, wherein the storage blocks comprise at least one
continuous
opening arranged in the longitudinal direction and/or at least one recess
formed in the
longitudinal direction on their outer side, and are arranged relative to each
other so
that at least one channel comprising an inlet opening and an outlet opening
spaced
apart from the inlet opening is formed by the recess and/or the continuous
opening, a
heat-carrying medium at least partially in direct contact with the channel, a
charging
circuit comprising a first supply means connected to the inlet opening of the
channel
for supplying thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a draining means con-
nected to the first outlet opening for compensating the supplied heat-carrying
medium,
and/or a first discharge circuit connected to the inlet opening of the channel
for draining
the thermally charged heat-carrying medium, and a second supply means
connected
to the outlet opening for compensating the drained heat-carrying medium.
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The invention also relates to a method for storing thermal energy, comprising
the steps
of: providing a thermal storage system comprising a solid storage having a
plurality of
storage blocks which are arranged with their outer sides relative to each
other, wherein
the storage blocks comprise at least one continuous opening disposed in the
longitu-
dinal direction and/or at least one recess formed on its outer side in the
longitudinal
direction, and are arranged relative to each other such that at least one
channel com-
prising an inlet opening and an outlet opening formed spaced apart from the
inlet open-
ing is formed by the recess and/or the continuous opening, a heat-carrying
medium
which is at least in portions in direct contact with the channel, a charging
circuit corn-
prising a first supply means connected to the inlet opening of the channel for
supplying
thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a first draining means connected to
the
outlet opening for compensating the supplied heat-carrying medium, and/or a
dis-
charge circuit comprising a first draining means connected to the inlet
opening of the
channel for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying medium, and a second
supply
means connected to the outlet opening for compensating the drained heat-
carrying
medium, wherein for the thermally charging of the storage block via the
charging cir-
cuit:
- thermally heated heat-carrying medium is supplied via the inlet opening to
the
channel, and
- thermally discharged heat-carrying medium is drained via the outlet opening,
and
for the thermal discharge of the storage blocks via the discharge circuit:
- thermally charged heat-carrying medium is drained via the inlet opening, and
- thermally discharged heat-carrying medium is supplied via the outlet opening
to
the channel.
Finally, it is pointed out that the preferred and/or advantageous embodiments
of the
thermal storage system also apply to the use according to the invention and to
the
method according to the invention.
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Brief description of the drawings
The invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings
based
on preferred exemplary embodiments by way of example, wherein the features
shown
below, both individually and in any combination, can represent an aspect of
the inven-
tion. In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a thermal storage system according to
a pre-
ferred exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a view of a storage block according to a first preferred exemplary
embodiment
of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a view of a plurality of storage blocks arranged offset from one
another ac-
cording to the first preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 4 is a view of a storage block according to a second preferred exemplary
embod-
iment of the invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments
Fig. us a schematic representation of the thermal storage system 10 for
storing ther-
mal energy. The thermal storage system 10 comprises a solid storage 12 with a
plu-
rality of storage blocks 14 disposed with their outer sides relative to each
other. A
detailed view of the storage blocks is given in Figs. 2 to 4. The storage
blocks 14
comprise a longitudinally extending continuous opening 16 and/or at least one
longitu-
dinally formed recess 18 on their outside and are arranged relative to one
another such
that a channel 20 comprising an inlet opening 22 and an outlet opening 24
formed
spaced apart from the inlet opening 22 is formed by the recess 18 and/or the
continu-
ous opening 16. Furthermore, a second channel 26 different from the first
channel 20
and comprising a second inlet opening 28 and a second outlet opening 30
disposed
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spaced apart from the second inlet opening 28 is formed by the storage blocks
14. In
this way, a piping-free solid storage 12 is provided, whereby material and
manufactur-
ing costs of the thermal storage system 10 can be reduced.
The thermal storage system 10 also comprises a charging circuit 32 for
thermally
charging the solid storage 12 and a discharge circuit 34 for thermally
discharging the
solid storage 12.
The charging circuit 32 comprises a first supply means 36 for thermally
charging the
solid storage 12 by supplying a thermally charged heat-carrying medium and a
first
draining means 38 for compensating the supplied heat-carrying medium.
The first supply means 36 is connected via a first valve device 40 to the
inlet opening
22 of the channel 20 and to the second inlet opening 28 of the second channel
26. At
one end of the first supply means 36 which is facing away from the inlet
opening 22
the first supply means 36 is connected to a solar power plant 42. In this way,
a heat-
carrying medium thermally charged by the solar power plant 42 can be supplied
by the
first supply means 36 via the inlet opening 22 to the channel 20 and via the
second
inlet opening 28 to the second channel 26 and thus to the solid storage 12 for
thermally
charging the storage blocks 14.
The first draining means 38 is connected to the outlet opening 24 of the
channel 20
and to the second outlet opening 30 of the second channel 26 via a second
valve
device 44. The first draining means 38 is connected to the solar power plant
42 at one
end of the first draining means 38 which faces away from the outlet opening.
In this
way, in order to compensate for the supplied thermally charged heat-carrying
medium,
thermally discharged heat-carrying medium can be drained from the solid
storage 12
via the outlet opening 24 and the second outlet opening 30 and supplied to the
solar
power plant 42 for renewed thermal charging.
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The discharge circuit 34 comprises a second draining means 46 for thermally
dischar-
ging the solid storage 12 and a second supply means 48 for compensating the
drained
thermally charged heat-carrying medium,
The second draining means 46 is connected at one end via the first valve
device 40 to
the inlet opening 22 of the channel 20 and the second inlet opening 28 of the
second
channel 26 for draining the thermally charged heat-carrying medium from the
solid
storage 12. At one end of the second draining means 46 which faces away from
the
second inlet opening 28 the second draining means 46 is connected to a power
plant
.. 50 for generating electricity. In this way, the thermally charged heat-
carrying medium
can be supplied from the solid storage 12 to the power plant 50 for generating
electri-
city.
The second supply means 48 is connected via the second valve device 44 to the
outlet
opening 24 of the channel 20 and to the second outlet opening 30 of the second
chan-
nel 26. At one end of the second supply means which faces away from the second
outlet opening 30 the second supply means 48 is connected to the power plant
50. In
this way, in order to compensate for the thermally charged heat-carrying
medium sup-
plied to the power plant 50, thermally discharged heat-carrying medium can be
sup-
plied to the solid storage 12 via the outlet port 24 and the second outlet
port 30 for
renewed thermal charge.
Thus, a piping-free solid storage is provided, which can be thermally charged
and ther-
mally discharged in a simple manner. Due to the fact that the solid storage is
configured
piping-free, the manufacturing costs of the thermal storage system can be
reduced. In
addition, the heat-carrying medium is in direct contact with the storage
blocks, so that
heat transfer losses can be reduced.
The first valve device 40 and the second valve device 44 are each configured
as a 4/2-
way valve.
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The thermal charging and the thermal discharge of the solid storage 12 are
carried out
periodically. In this way, the channel 20 and the second channel 26 can be
used for
thermal charging of the solid storage 12 and for thermal discharge, whereby
the num-
ber of channels 20, 26 in the solid storage 12 can be reduced and the
structural integ-
rity of the solid storage 12 can be increased.
The plurality of storage blocks 14 are arranged so that the channel 20 and the
second
channel 26 extend in a meandering form. In this way, the inlet opening and the
outlet
opening of the channel 20 as well as the second inlet opening 28 and the
second outlet
opening 30 of the second channel 26 can be formed on one side of the solid
storage
12, so that they can be easily connected via the corresponding supply means
36, 48
and draining means 38, 46. The side of the solid storage 12 comprising the
inlet ope-
ning 22, 28 and the outlet opening 24, 30 is fixedly mounted or has a fixed
bearing 51.
The part of the solid storage 12, which comprises the channels 20, 26, is
slidably
mounted or has a sliding bearing 53. Thermally induced changes in length of
the solid
storage 12 are not hindered by the sliding bearing 53. In this way, the
charging circuit
32 and/or the discharge circuit 34 can be decoupled from the thermally induced
changes in length of the solid storage 12. Thus, manufacturing costs of the
thermal
storage system 10 can be reduced.
Fig. 2 shows a storage block 14 known from Fig. 1, wherein the solid storage
12 shown
in Fig. 1 is formed from a plurality of storage blocks 14. The storage block
14 has a
cuboid shape and comprises a first end face 52 and a second end face 56
arranged
spaced apart from the first end face 52 in the longitudinal direction 54 of a
storage
block 14. The outer sides 58 are formed between the first end face 52 and the
second
end face 56 parallel to the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14.
The first
outer side 60 is arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the second outer
side 62.
The third outer side 64 is parallel to and spaced apart from the fourth outer
side 66.
In a corner region between the first outer side 60 and the third outer side
64, as well
as in a corner region between the first outer side 60 and the fourth outer
side 66 a
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respective recess 18 is formed in the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage
block 14
as a rectilinear groove, which has a quarter-circular profile in a plane
perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block 14 . At the second outer
side 62, the
recess 18 is formed in the form of a rectilinear groove which has a
semicircular profile
in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 54 of the storage block
14.
Fig. 3 shows a plurality of the storage blocks 14 known from Fig. 2, which are
arranged
offset from each other. A first storage block 14' adjoins with its fourth
outer side 66' at
least in sections to the third outer side 64" of a second storage block 14". A
third stor-
age block 14" is arranged at least in sections with its first outer side 60"
at the second
outer side 62' of the first storage block 14' and the second outer side 62" of
the second
storage block 14". The semicircular recess 18" formed at the second outer side
62" of
the second storage block 14" and the recess 18" formed in the corner region of
the
first outer side 60' and fourth outer side 661" of the third storage block
141" are arranged
parallel to each other. In this way, by the arrangement of a further fourth
storage block
(not shown), which at least in sections adjoins to the fourth outer side 66"
of the third
storage block 14"' and to the second outer side 62" of the second storage
block 14", a
channel 20 or a channel portion is formed.
Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the storage block 14, wherein the storage
block
14 comprises an opening 16 which extends continuous from the first end face 52
to
the second end face 56. The opening 16 need not necessarily extend from the
first end
face 52 to the second end face 56, but may also preferably open from the first
end face
52 or the second end face 56 into one of the four outer sides.
The storage block 14 comprises first connection elements 74 formed as a
dovetail
connection 72 at the first end face 52, and first connection receptacles 78
correspond-
ing to the first connection elements 74 and formed as tines 76 at the second
end face
56. Thus, preferably, a tension-proof connection directed in the longitudinal
direction
of the channel 20 shown in Fig. 1 can be provided between the storage blocks
14.
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CA 03041398 2019-04-23
Starting from the second outer side 62 in the direction of the first outer
side 60, the
dovetail connection 72 and the tines 76 extend tapering. In this way, the
insertion of
the dovetail connection 72 into the corresponding tines 76 for connecting the
storage
blocks 14 together can be simplified, whereby time and costs in the production
of the
solid storage 12 can be reduced.
At the second outer side 62 the storage block 14 comprises second connection
ele-
ments 80 in the form of a plurality of projections formed cuboid in a
direction perpen-
dicular to the plane of the second outer side 62. At the first outer side 60
second con-
nection receptacles 82 corresponding to the second connection elements 80 are
ar-
ranged. The second connection receptacles 82 are preferably recesses aligned
in a
direction perpendicular to the plane of the first outer side 60 and
corresponding to the
projections of the second outer side 62. In this way, the first outer side 60
of a first
storage block 14 can be connected in a simple way in a form-fitting manner to
the
second outer side 62 of a second storage block 14.
The exemplary embodiments described are merely examples which can be modified
and/or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Each
feature de-
scribed for a particular exemplary embodiment may be used alone or in
combination
with other features in any other exemplary embodiment. Each feature described
for an
exemplary embodiment of a particular category may also be used equivalently in
an
exemplary embodiment of another category.
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CA 03041398 2019-04-23
Reference symbols
thermal storage system
12 solid storage
5 14 storage block
16 continuous opening
18 recess
channel
22 inlet opening
10 24 outlet opening
26 second channel
28 second inlet opening
second outlet opening
32 charging circuit
15 34 discharge circuit
36 first supply means
38 first draining means
first valve device
42 solar power plant
20 44 second valve device
46 second draining means
48 second supply means
power plant
51 fixed bearing
25 52 first end face
53 sliding bearing
54 longitudinal direction of storage block
56 second end face
58 outer sides
30 60 first outer side
62 second outer side
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CA 03041398 2019-04-23
64 third outer side
66 fourth outer side
72 dovetail connection
74 first connection element
76 tines
78 first connection receptacles
80 second connection elements
82 second connection receptacles
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